Istarted the day of July 9th wondering what BERSIH 2.0 would actually achieve. I supported the cause because I really wanted democracy to prevail. As a tax payer and a voter, I wanted to have my say and I wanted my vote to be rightfully counted. People around me questioned the point of the rally, they mocked BERSIH organisers, mocked BERSIH supporters, mocked the government, mocked PDRM, mocked UMNO, and of course there was some well-deserved mocking for Ibrahim Ali, but they were all comfortable within the confines of their own home.

Many even cursed “those BERSIH people” for the unnecessary roadblocks and shutting down the entire city. I had questions myself, as half way through I decided there was no point in all this. My first thought was — by participating in this rally, would it be supporting the cause it stands for, or would it just bring benefit to one person. I love Ambiga and always had a distinct respect for her, but she’s mere mortal. I don’t know her true intentions, as somehow supporting the rally would mean supporting her, which in turn would bring her fame, and when attention got to her head, she would just be another one of those politicians with a beautifully painted CV, as we all know the clean up of the electoral reform was not going to happen by the mere walking. But I truly supported the cause she was fighting for, and I for one, wanted DEMOCRACY.

So I woke up on Saturday morning and drove to the nearest KTM station and parked at the Teluk Pulai train station. I was met by two cops manning the station. I asked one of them, “Bang, ada train ke sekarang?” to which he joked, “sekarang tak ada la, tapi you tunggu sekejap, train akan datang.” I attempted a flirtatious laugh (just to feed his ego) and waited for the train. I arrived at KL Sentral at about 11.15a.m and met Shamini, my fellow comrade in this walk for peace. By this time we had heard news of massive attacks and arrests around KL and even at Sentral. We didn’t know where to go, so we decided to walk to KL through Brickfields. There were too many cops around Sentral.

Sham had her yellow bangle hidden in her bag, and I had my huge yellow earrings stuffed in my jeans pocket. It was easy for us to walk past the cops without being suspected because we were just two harmless, giggly girls. We managed to steer pass the cops at Sentral and hit the highway towards the City. Half way through, we were stopped by this huge Punjabi man, not in uniform, who said he was a cop, and he asked us where we were going and why we were walking. We said we thought the roads were closed and there were no cabs or buses.

Apparently we were wrong, and he said only buses and cabs were allowed to the city. He then pointed us to a group of about 15 people being detained by cops across the road, as groups of more than two people are considered “dangerous.” He then told us about the rally (because we acted dumb and naive), and he suggested we take the bus. We obediently said “thank you uncle” and turned back. Shortly after, a bus arrived and we boarded it to Pasar Seni, but the bus stopped us at KL train station saying that was as far as it could go. We were excited when we saw a huge crowd at the KL Station.

We walked towards the crowd, and were stopped by three guys sitting in a Hummer. They tried to intimidate us with their rough voice asking “Pergi mana?” Again we said Petaling Street and had some small talk. We never knew who they were. We walked towards the crowd at the KL Station, there were cops all around, but they did not do anything. We saw many waiting, walking, laughing. Then a police truck with a load of people arrested drove past, and everyone screamed “BERSIH! BERSIH!” together with the detainees in the truck. That was my first feel good shout out! Then we walked along towards Petaling Street.

Cops were loitering around just standing, and we were trying to find the crowd or the way to the Stadium. We walked up and down the empty streets. The shops were closed, the roads were closed, in fact even 7-eleven was closed! The roads were empty, most parts barricaded, and a troop of cops was waiting with four police trucks parked by the side and water cannon lorries stood proudly. We continued walking around aimlessly, then we spotted some friends from the Bar Council, and tried trailing them thinking they should know where to go, but they just stood at their respective stations. They were told not to mingle so as to portray impartiality.

We met a Reuters photographer, made friends and followed him as he was heading to the Stadium. Suddenly we heard loud chanting, and we ran towards the noise, and spotted this huge crowd. We joined the crowd and together we chanted “Bersih! Bersih! Pilihanraya!” By this time, we both had put on our yellow accessories, and surprisingly, save one or two, no one was in yellow, but people were carrying yellow flowers, BERSIH handkerchiefs, yellow scarfs, BERSIH stickers on their face and passing yellow balloons in the air. Everyone was calm yet in high spirits. I met so many friends along the way, and made many more. One uncle beside us was carrying a clean white glass chanting “bersih! bersih!”

People just naturally took charge, when they saw a block ahead, they stopped the crowd from moving forward, and everyone turned and continued walking around. There were clapping and laughter and cries for democracy. It was my first protest rally experience, and I had a smile plastered on my face throughout, because I was so proud of all those who were there. Like Sham and I, the throngs of thousands gathered there must have come into the city through some very inconvenient way — yet they were all there and the fact that we were all in this together gave me hope that something can come out of this. It was an amazing feeling! I reached home a little after 6.00pm — tired but satisfied. It was by far the best weekend I’ve had, and it was indeed an awesome experience.

Well, perhaps we didn’t gain much, but at least the Prime Minister said the next day that “we will consider a dialogue with BERSIH on the electoral reform”. No doubt, the Prime Minister in all his glory should have thought of a dialogue way ahead, instead of wasting parts of my tax contributions on fuel for the helicopter which was going round and round for hours, the cost of tear gas, the loss faced by businesses all over KL, commuter trains having to close down for hours, businesses in surrounding cities faced equal losses due to road blocks – there was more than RM100 million estimated loss due to the measures taken to prevent the rally. It could have been so much easier to have just approved the Stadium and those who wanted to participate would have just got there peacefully. Police should have given protection around the stadium area, businesses would have gone on as usual, everyone would have been happy.

But then again, if it all went smooth and easy, BERSIH rally would not have got the attention needed, and got the point across – that the power of people takes precedence in a democratic country. We may not have got the demands for clean and fair elections, we may not have turned out the ruling government, but the rally has proved that when Malaysians come together, we put aside our differences, we respect each other’s differences, we help each other through, we support each other, and all we need are clean governance and some measure of fairness.

I’m proud to be a Malaysian today. I feel we will have a better Malaysia in the future as our generation is the kind who will not tolerate nonsense. Justice will prevail, and corruption will have to take a back seat. The power of the people is amazing, the power of the media is even more amazing – and when people and media come together, everyone will be heard, and there’s only so much that can be swept under carpets. It’s time to live Clean! Long Live Malaysia! — By Jacelyn Johnson